So my hubby and me planned to get our "Golden Girls and Golden Boys" a new tank, same size for now as we'll use the stand and hood we restored a few months ago.If all goes according to plan we'll have a big day tomorrow, fishing in our own aquarium , and setting up the NEW tank four our darlings.The old tank is pretty scratched, ( as we got it 2nd hand as an emergency solution - sure you remember... ) I will use it outside and have a go of growing some plants in it.Bought an 80l plastic container today to give them enough room to swim while their mummy is creating their new home, will fill it half with their own water, half new one. Then set up the tank using the gravel and the "old" filter system, adding a bit more "Stability" etc and they should be fine being scooped out again and enjoy a new scaped aquagarden

Cannot wait them to see us through a sparkling glass without scratches, same for us to watch them through a clear tank

I'm sure looking through a clear tank will be much better than a scratched one But are you putting them in the tank on the same day you fill it up? You sorta made it sound like that, isn't that a bit soon? Even if you use the old filter system, shouldn't you let it settle for just a bit?

It will be like a 60% waterchange as I will use 40% of their old water too. And all the plants and decorations, filter, etc... only new "walls" arround the water

Unfortunately there wasn't a 3ft tank left, ordered one, will have it in about 2-3 weeks. So I'm going to do a waterchange and siphon the gravel today. Big maintenance is due anyway. thought first I can combine it with the change of the tank, but wasn't lucky

take the old water and put it in a few Rubbermaid contaners that u can pick put with water in it. get as many as u can then fil them up with all the old water. then just move the water to the new tank that way everything stays the same. add some fresh water about 10% there u go thats it.

I was just about to point that out that it's fine to let half of the water in the new tank be fresh That's only better for the fish! And since you're using the gravel and everything from the old setup, there won't be any problems with cycling

OH yes, plenty of scratches on that one, the lady who had it befor must have cleaned it with a wire brush. But it was the rescue tank for our goldies. We'll keep it I want to have a go to grow aquatic plants.

Yes, the lighter gravel will be a bit friendlier also we will be able to see our Sunshine... lol... at the moment bit hard to locate her as she is dark too,